Chapter 10
chapter ten
Brock
A few months have passed since the fire and Ryan’s arrest. Life with Sadie has settled into a Brodie that feels right in my bones every morning when I wake up beside her.
The days blend together in the best possible way.
She makes coffee while I get ready for my shift at the station.
I come home to find her curled up on the couch with a book or working on sketches for the small home décor shop she wants to open in town.
Evenings are simple, we argue playfully about who’s cooking dinner, then end up in the kitchen together anyway, bumping hips and stealing kisses between chopping vegetables and tasting sauces.
I’ve never been this content.
Tonight I’m taking her down to the dock at sunset.
I’ve got the ring in my pocket, simple but strong, a diamond set in a band made to hold up through real life, with all its ordinary days and unexpected challenges.
Just like her. I park the truck near the path and take her hand as we walk down the wooden planks stretching out over the water.
The lake spreads out calm and beautiful in front of us, the sun dipping toward the horizon and painting the sky in warm golden light.
Sadie leans against the railing, looking out at the water.
Her long auburn hair shifts in the evening breeze.
“I still can’t believe this is our life now.
Some mornings I wake up and have to remind myself it’s real, that I’m actually here with you in this beautiful place after everything we went through. ”
I step behind her and wrap my arms around her waist, resting my chin on her shoulder.
“It’s real, Sadie. You and me. This lake.
This town. All of it.” I breathe in the familiar scent of her hair.
“I wake up every day grateful that you walked into my life and decided to stay, even after I carried you out of that burning cabin like a caveman.”
She turns in my arms and smiles up at me.
The sunset catches the auburn in her hair and makes her bright blue eyes shine even brighter.
My chest feels so full I can hardly breathe.
I’ve been planning this moment for weeks, running through the words in my head during every quiet moment at the station.
But now that it’s here, standing in front of her with the lake glowing behind us, the words come easier than I expected.
I take both of her hands in mine and drop to one knee right there on the dock. The wood is still warm from the day’s sun. Sadie’s eyes widen and her breath catches.
“Sadie Quinn,” I say, keeping my voice steady even though my heart is hammering against my ribs.
“From the moment I carried you out of that burning cabin, I knew you were going to change everything. You fought me the whole way with that fiery spirit of yours, and I fell for every single second of it.” I pause, searching her eyes.
“I love your strength. I love your stubborn streak. I love the way you make my house feel like a real home. I want to spend the rest of my life beside you, building something real together, protecting you when you need it and stepping back when you don’t.
I want to wake up next to you every morning and fall asleep holding you every night. Will you marry me?”
I pull the ring from my pocket and hold it up. The diamond catches the last rays of sunlight, throwing tiny rainbows across her face. Her hands tremble in mine.
Tears fill her eyes, but she’s smiling so wide it makes my own eyes sting. “Yes. Yes, Brock. Of course I’ll marry you.”
I slide the ring onto her finger, it fits perfectly, then stand and pull her against me in one smooth motion.
We kiss as the sun dips lower, painting the sky in deep oranges and pinks around us.
Her arms wrap around my neck and she holds on like she never wants to let go.
When we finally break apart, she rests her forehead against mine.
“I love you so much,” she whispers, her voice thick with emotion. “I can’t wait to be your wife.”
“I love you too. More than I ever thought I could love anyone.” I brush a strand of hair behind her ear. “You’ve made me the happiest man alive, Sadie.”
We stand there on the dock for a long time, just holding each other. The ring on her finger catches the fading light every time she moves. My future wife. The words feel right in my head and even better in my heart.
When we finally walk back up the path, my truck is waiting where we left it.
But so are the others. Cars line the driveway and spill onto the grass.
Lights are strung around the yard. My crew and our friends have set up a full lakeside barbecue, just like we planned.
They cheer when they see us walking up hand in hand.
Sadie lifts her left hand to show off the ring, and the cheering gets even louder.
Jackie rushes over first and pulls Sadie into a tight hug. “Let me see that beautiful ring! Oh, he did so good. Congratulations, you two. We’re so happy for you.”
Nichole is right behind her, laughing as she hugs Sadie next. “About time he made it official. We had bets going at book club about when this would happen. You two are perfect together.”
Ramirez claps me on the back hard enough to jolt me forward. “Finally, Chief. We were starting to think you’d drag your feet forever. She’s way too good for you, but we’re all thrilled anyway.”
I laugh and shake my head. “You all are terrible. But thank you for setting this up. It means a lot to both of us.”
The evening unfolds into a warm, lively celebration.
Grills fire up with burgers and chicken.
Music pours from someone’s truck speakers.
Neighbors, firefighters, and their families fill the yard.
Kids run around with sparklers, laughing and chasing each other through the grass.
Sadie moves through the crowd with easy grace, laughing with the women and teasing my crew about the amount of food they manage to put away.
I watch her from across the yard, and that deep certainty settles in my chest again.
This is our life now. These people are our family. This is what forever looks like.
Later, I find her standing by the water’s edge, gazing out at the lake with the ring sparkling on her finger. I slip my arms around her from behind and rest my chin on her shoulder. “Happy?”
She leans back against me and covers my hands with hers. “So happy I can hardly stand it. I can’t believe all these people came out for us tonight. It feels like everyone’s rooting for us.”
“They love you,” I say quietly. “Almost as much as I do. And they know how good we are together.”
We stay like that until the stars emerge overhead. Then I scoop her up without warning. She lets out a surprised laugh and wraps her arms around my neck.
“What are you doing, you crazy man?” she asks, still laughing as I carry her toward the house.
“Carrying my fiancée over the threshold.” I adjust my grip to hold her more securely. “The first time I carried you, you yelled at me the whole way and threatened to make me regret ever laying hands on you.”
She buries her face against my neck, shoulders shaking with laughter. “I wasn’t that bad. I was in shock, and you were being all bossy and heroic.”
“You were exactly that bad,” I say, grinning as I climb the porch steps. “And I loved every second of it. Still do.”
I carry her through the front door and kick it shut behind us. The sound echoes through the quiet house. Everyone else is still down at the lake celebrating. We’re finally alone. The weight of that settles over me like something sacred, this moment, this woman, this beginning.
She kisses me before I can take another step. Deep and hungry and full of promise. Her fingers tangle in my hair, and I groan against her mouth, pulling her tighter against me. My wife. The word repeats in my head like a drumbeat. My wife. Mine. Forever.
I carry her straight to our bedroom without breaking the kiss.
When we reach the bed, I set her down gently.
She’s wearing a simple white dress that hugs every curve.
Her auburn hair falls in loose waves over her shoulders, and her blue eyes are dark with desire.
She’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.
“Brock,” she breathes, reaching for me.
I catch her hands and bring them to my lips, kissing each palm. “I need you to know something first.”
She tilts her head, waiting.
“Twenty years,” I say quietly, my voice rough with emotion.
“Twenty years I’ve been alone. Twenty years I didn’t trust anyone enough to let them in.
I thought I was broken, thought I’d never have this again.
” I cup her face with both hands. “Then you walked into my life and changed everything. You made me believe again. Made me want again. Made me feel again.”
Her eyes shine with unshed tears. “Brock…”
"I love you, Sadie Wilder." The name feels right on my tongue. Perfect. "You're my wife now. Mine to protect. Mine to love. Mine to worship every single day for the rest of our lives."
"I love you too," she whispers. "So much it scares me sometimes."
"Don't be scared." I lean down and kiss her softly, my thumb stroking her cheek. "I've got you. Always."
The kiss deepens. Her hands move to my shirt, fumbling with the buttons.
I help her, shrugging out of it and tossing it aside.
Her palms flatten against my chest, exploring, and her touch sends fire through my veins.
I reach behind her and find the zipper of her dress, lowering it slowly as I watch her face.
"You're sure about this?" I ask, even though I know the answer. "About me? About us?"
"I've never been more sure of anything." Her voice is firm, unwavering. "You're mine, Brock. And I'm yours. Completely."